Which of the following individuals argued in favor of the theory of spontaneous generation? Select an answer and submit. For keyboard navigation, use the up/down arrow keys to select an answer. \begin{tabular}{|l|l}\hline a & Francesco Redi \\ \hline b & Louis Pasteur \\ \hline c & John Needham \\ \hline d & \\ \hline d & Lazzaro Spallanzani \\ \hline\end{tabular}

The correct answer is: **c) John Needham** **Explanation:** John Needham conducted experiments in the 18th century that he interpreted as supporting the theory of spontaneous generation—the idea that life can arise from non-living matter. Needham believed that microorganisms could spontaneously emerge from broths that were boiled and then sealed. However, his conclusions were later challenged and refuted by scientists like Louis Pasteur, who demonstrated that microorganisms in such environments came from external contamination, not spontaneous generation. **Summary of the Individuals:** - **a) Francesco Redi:** Refuted spontaneous generation by showing that maggots on decaying meat came from fly eggs, not spontaneously from the meat itself. - **b) Louis Pasteur:** Provided definitive evidence against spontaneous generation through his experiments with swan-neck flasks, demonstrating that microorganisms come from existing life. - **c) John Needham:** Argued in favor of spontaneous generation based on his experimental results. - **d) Lazzaro Spallanzani:** Conducted experiments that supported Pasteur's conclusions, further refuting spontaneous generation.